Decision Quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson
“You can't have people making decisions about the future of the world who are scientifically illiterate. That's a recipe for disaster. And I don't mean just whether a politician is scientifically literate, but people who vote politicians into office.”
About This Quote
Scientific illiteracy among decision‑makers leads to policies that ignore evidence, risking catastrophic outcomes.
In simple terms: Science competence is essential for governance.
Key Takeaway
Uninformed leadership threatens societal safety.
Themes
Science literacy
Political responsibility
Risk management
Public policy
Education
Mood
Concerned
Urgent
Skeptical
Type
Political
Scientific
Warning
When to use this quote
- Voting in elections
- Choosing representatives
- Debating climate policy
- Funding research initiatives
- Public health crises
Key Concepts
Scientific literacy
Decision making
Governance
Evidence‑based policy
Practical Applications
- Advocating science education
- Designing voter information campaigns
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure leaders understand scientific evidence?
- What mechanisms can reduce the impact of scientific illiteracy in politics?
![“They [scientists of centuries past] call on God only from the lonely and precarious edge of incomprehension. Where they feel certain about their explanations, however, God gets hardly a mention.” quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b0/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_century_they-scientists-of-centuries-past-call-o_12921.jpg)
